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Brassica juncea has adapted to diverse climate zones and latitudes, especially in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau with the complexity and diversity of the ecological types of western China. However, the genetic variations underlying the diversity of these ecotypes are poorly known. In this study, we resequenced the genome of 193 indigenous B. juncea accessions and obtained 1.04 million high-quality SNPs and 3.23 million InDels by mapping reads to the reference genomes of B. juncea var. timuda. Phenotype, population genetic, phylogenetic and principal component analyses showed considerable genetic variation including four distinct genetic groups. Selective sweep analysis and a genome-wide association study revealed the candidate genes for seed color and fatty acid biosynthesis. The results provide a comprehensive insight into the spread and improvement of B. juncea and laya foundation for accelerating rapeseed breeding by facilitating screenings of molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic diversity analysis is a fundamental work for effective management and utilization of plant germplasm. Brassica juncea is an economically important crop, including both oilseed and vegetable types. In the present study, a total of 99 accessions of Brassicaceae family, including 84 mustard (50 oilseed and 34 vegetable types) in China and 15 other Brassicaceae accessions were evaluated for their genetic diversity using nuclear and mitochondrial molecular markers. All accessions were evaluated using 18 simple sequence repeats, 20 sequence related amplified polymorphisms, and 7 intron-exon splice junction primers, and in total, 232 polymorphic fragments were obtained. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean cluster analysis indicated that all accessions could be divided into three major clusters, with cluster I including all 50 oilseed mustard, cluster II including 34 vegetable mustard, and cluster III containing 15 other Brassicaceae accessions. The results of principal component analysis and population structure analysis were in accordance with the cluster result. Molecular variance analysis revealed that the genetic variation was 34.07% among populations and 65.93% within Brassica species, which indicates existence of considerable genetic variation among oilseed and vegetable B. juncea species. Based on an InDel and a SNP locus reported in B. juncea mitochondrial genome, all the 84 B. juncea mitochondrial genomes were divided into three mitotypes (MTs1-3), 22 accessions of MT1, 20 accessions of MT2, and 42 accessions of MT3. In addition, the results of the modified multiplex PCR, Indel and SNP could identify pol-, cam-, nap- (or MT4), Bol-, Bni-, Esa-, and In-cytoplasmic types in 15 other Brassicaceae accessions. Together, oilseed and vegetable B. juncea can be used for broadening the genetic background for each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mustard, which belongs to the family Brassicaceae, is an annual or biennial herb and is considered as one of the most important native vegetables in China. Glucosinolates are important secondary metabolites containing sulfur and nitrogen in plants, which form a network with other metabolic pathways that play important roles in plant growth, development, and interaction with the environment. We studied varied phenotypic and glucosinolate contents of 60 mustard resources collected from various areas of China. The results showed both agronomic traits and glucosinolates varied greatly among mustard resources. We detected nine glucosinolates in mustard resources and the contents of total glucosinolates ranged from 1.2023 to 30.7310 μmol/g. Through the correlation analysis, we preliminarily found a significant negative correlation between leaf color and glucosinolate contents but needed further validation. For mustard resource JC 18-56, we analyzed the glucosinolate contents in different organs of different growth stages. The results indicated a significant difference among organs in both glucosinolates concentration and composition. The contents of glucosinolatess in alabastrums at bolting stage were highest, up to 140.1257 μmol/g dry weight (DW). We found that the main glucosinolates in roots were 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, while in other organs the glucosinolates were sinigrin. The contents of glucosinolatess in different organs of mustard were as follows: alabastrums > seeds > flowers > siliques > leaves > flower stems > stems > roots. This study provides important references for the selection and cultivation of high-quality mustard varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica juncea var. tumida Tsen et Lee (Tumorous stem mustard) is an unique vegetable in China. Its enlarged tumorous stem was used as main raw material to produce pickle (Zhacai). In practice, early-bolting happens around 15% of planting area all year and inhibits its production. Here, about 209 PP2C proteins were identified through HMMER software and divided into 13 sub-families in B. juncea. BjuPP2C52 belongs to E sub-family, was up-regulated at reproductive growth stages and interacts with BjuFKF1, a key protein in regulating plant photoperiod flowering, in vitro and in vivo. To explore interactive proteins, BjuPP2C52 was used as bait, 12 potential interactive proteins were screened from yeast library, and they are BjuCOL3, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2, BjuAP2-1, BjuSVP-1, BjuFLC-2, BjuSKP1f, BjuA014572, BjuA008686, BjuO002119, BjuB036787 and BjuA019268. Further study verified that 10 out of the 12 screened proteins interacted with BjuPP2C52 in vivo. qRT-PCR was conducted to understand the expression pattern of those 10 interactive proteins in different tissues and development stages in B. juncea. The results showed that BjuCOL3 , BjuCOL5 , BjuB036787 and BjuA019268 were significantly up-regulated, while BjuA008686 and BjuO002119 were down-regulated in flowers compared with other four tissues. In developmental stages, BjuCOL5 , BjuAP2 , BjuAP2-1 , BjuA014572 , BjuB036787 and BjuA019268 were significantly up-regulated, while BjuSVP-1 , BjuA008686 and BjuO002119 were down-regulated at reproductive stages. Based on the results, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2 , BjuAP2-1 , BjuSVP-1 , BjuA014572 , BjuB036787 and BjuA019268 may function in regulating flowering time in B. juncea. • 209 PP2C proteins were identified and divided into 13 sub-families in B. juncea. • 12 potential interactive proteins of BjuPP2C52 were screened from yeast library. • 10 out of the 12 screened proteins interacted with BjuPP2C52 in vivo. • Four of those interactive proteins were significantly up-regulated, while two down-regulated in flowers. • Six of those interactive proteins were significantly up-regulated, while three down-regulated at reproductive stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica juncea is one of a unique vegetable in China, its tumorous stem can be processed into pickle or as fresh vegetable. For a long time, early-bolting as a main factor affects yield and quality of B. juncea, which happens about 15% all year round. As plant specific blue light receptors, FKF1/LKP2 involved in photoperiod flowering. To analyze the expression levels of BjuFKF1/BjuLKP2 and screen their interaction proteins in B. juncea, qRT-PCR and yeast two hybrid assays were recruited. qRT-PCR assays found that the expression levels of BjuFKF1 and BjuLKP2 were up-regulated expressed under both white and blue light. When under different light, BjuFKF1 was significantly increased at vegetative growth stage, but decreased in flowers under blue light. For BjuLKP2, its expression levels did not show significant changes under different light treatment. To investigate interaction proteins, BjuFKF1 and BjuLKP2 were used as bait proteins, and nine potential proteins were screened from yeast library. Yeast two hybrid assays was recruited to further verify their interaction, the results showed that both BjuFKF1 and BjuLKP2 interacted with BjuCOL, BjuCOL3, BjuCOL5, BjuAP2, BjuAP2-1 and BjuSKP1f, only BjuLKP2 interacted with BjuSVP-1 and BjuCDF1 in vivo. In this study, BjuFKF1 and BjuLKP2 were up-regulated expressed under both white and blue light. Yeast two hybrid results verified that BjuFKF1 and BjuLKP2 interacted with six and eight of those nine proteins in vivo, respectively. All of those results will provided reference genes to study BjuFKF1/BjuLKP2 regulated flowering pathway in B. juncea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors play an important role in plant growth and development. However, in tumorous stem mustard (Brassica juncea var. tumida), one of the economically important crops cultivated in southwest China and some southeast Asian countries, reports on the identification of NAC family genes are lacking. In this study, we conducted a genome-wide investigation of theNAC family genes in B. juncea var. tumida, based on its recently published genome sequence data. Methods. The NAC genes were identified in B. juncea var. tumida using the bioinformatics approach on the whole genome level. Additionally, the expression of BjuNAC genes was analyzed under high- and low-temperature stresses by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results. A total of 300 BjuNAC genes were identified, of which 278 were mapped to specific chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis of B. juncea var. tumida, Brassica rapa, Brassica nigra, rice and Arabidopsis thaliana NAC proteins revealed that all NAC genes were divided into 18 subgroups. Furthermore, gene structure analysis showed that most of the NAC genes contained two or three exons. Conserved motif analysis revealed that BjuNAC genes contain a conserved NAM domain. Additionally, qRT-PCR data indicated that thirteen BjuNAC genes with a varying degree of up-regulation during high-temperature stress. Conversely, four BjuNAC genes (BjuNAC006, BjuNAC083, BjuNAC170 and BjuNAC223) were up-regulated and two BjuNAC genes (BjuNAC074 and BjuNAC295) down-regulated under low temperature, respectively. Together, the results of this study provide a strong foundation for future investigation of the biological function of NAC genes in B. juncea var. tumida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica juncea is an important dietary vegetable cultivated and consumed in China for its edible stalks and leaves. The purple leaf mustard, which is rich in anthocyanins, is eye-catching and delivers valuable nutrition. However, the molecular mechanism involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis has not been well studied in B. juncea. Here, histological and transcriptome analyses were used to characterize the purple leaf color and gene expression profiles. Free-hand section analysis showed that the anthocyanin was mainly accumulated in the adaxial epidermal leaf cells. The anthocyanin content in the purple leaves was significantly higher than that in the green leaves. To investigate the critical genes and pathways involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis and accumulation, the transcriptome analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the purple and green leaves from the backcrossed BC3 segregation population in B. juncea. A total of 2,286 different expressed genes were identified between the purple and green leaves. Among them, 1,593 DEGs were up-regulated and 693 DEGs were down-regulated. There were 213 differently expressed transcription factors among them. The MYB and bHLH transcription factors, which may regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis, were up-regulated in the purple leaves. Interestingly, most of the genes involved in plant–pathogen interaction pathway were also up-regulated in the purple leaves. The late biosynthetic genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were highly up-regulated in the purple leaves of B. juncea. The up regulation of BjTT8 and BjMYC2 and anthocyanin biosynthetic genes (BjC4H , BjDFR , and BjANS) may activate the purple leaf formation in B. juncea. This study may help to understand the transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis in B. juncea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphidiploid Brassica juncea (AABB, 2n=36) contains the synthesized genome of the diploid ancestors of Brassica rapa (AA, 2n=20) and Brassica nigra (BB, 2n=16), proven the ‘triangle of U’ model. Varieties of the B. juncea include vegetables, oilseed crops, and medicinal plants in South Asia, China, and other regions. ‘Dolsangat’, one of the cultivars of B. juncea is widely used as the main ingredient for ‘KatKimchi’, a kind of Korean traditional food Kimchi. To develop an efficient polyploidization protocol of B. juncea, we used twenty accessions. Among them, we could induce the amphidiploid plants with 0.23% in natural. A successful of polyploidization, it is essential of chromosome doubling regent treatment of B. juncea. At first, we tried to colchicine treatment in the embryo stage and it was very harmful to the embryo and could get few plants. The second, we made the regeneration plants from embryo to rooting phase and shocked them in 0.34% colchicine contained distilled water. We could induce amphidiploid plants with a success rate of 63.4%. Also, we surveyed glucosinolate content and JB1, Alsami, and JD6 showed high total contents. These plants will use for genetic materials for breeding, genetic and molecular studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild Brassica juncea is a troublesome weed that infests wheat fields in China. Two suspected wild B. juncea populations (19–5 and 19–6) resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors were collected from wheat fields in China. To clarify their resistance profiles and resistance mechanism, the resistance levels of populations 19–5 and 19–6 to ALS-inhibiting herbicides and their underlying target-site resistance mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the 19–5 population exhibited resistance to tribenuron-methyl, pyrithiobac‑sodium and florasulam, while the 19–6 population was resistant to tribenuron-methyl, pyrithiobac‑sodium, imazethapyr and florasulam. Using the homologous cloning method, two ALS genes were identified in wild B. juncea , with one gene (ALS1) encoding 652 amino acids and the other (ALS2) encoding 655 amino acids. Pro-197-Arg mutation on ALS2 and Trp-574-Leu mutation on ALS1, together with the combination of these two mutations in a single plant, were observed in both 19–5 and 19–6 populations. ALS2 enzymes carrying the Pro-197-Arg mutation were cross-resistant to tribenuron-methyl, pyrithiobac‑sodium, imazerthapyr and florasulam, with resistance index (RI) values of 6.23, 32.81, 7.97 and 1162.50, respectively. Similarly, ALS1 enzymes with Trp-574-leu substitutions also displayed high resistance to these four herbicides (RI values ranging from 132.61 to 3375.00). In addition, the combination of Pro-197-Arg (ALS2) and Trp-574-Leu (ALS1) mutations increased the resistance level of the ALS enzyme to ALS inhibitors, with its RI values 3.83–214.19, 6.88–37.34, 1.91–31.82 and 2.03–5.90-fold higher than a single mutation for tribenuron-methyl, pyrithiobac‑sodium, imazerthapyr and florasulam, respectively. Collectively, Pro-197-Arg mutation on ALS2, Trp-574-Leu mutation on ALS1 and the combination of Pro-197-Arg (ALS2) and Trp-574-Leu (ALS1) mutations in wild B. juncea could endow broad-spectrum resistance to ALS inhibitors, which might provide guides for establishing effective strategies to prevent or delay such resistance evolution in this weed. [Display omitted] • Wild Brassica juncea populations 19–5 and 19–6 were resistant to ALS inhibitors. • Wild B. juncea possessed at least two ALS genes (ALS1 and ALS2). • Pro-197-Arg on ALS2, Trp-574-Leu on ALS1 and combination of the two mutations endowed resistance to ALS inhibitors. • Combination of Pro-197-Arg on ALS2 and Trp-574-Leu on ALS1 synergized ALS enzyme resistance to ALS inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils high in chromium and selenium exist in some countries, like China, India and the US. In the forms of chromate and selenate, these elements can compete during uptake by plants and lead to secondary effects on the absorption of the essential nutrient sulfur. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Brassica juncea and the Se-hyperaccumulator Stanleya pinnata to take-up and store chromium and selenium when applied individually or jointly, the effect on sulfur content, and the plant antioxidant responses. The aim is to advise the best use of these species in phytotechnologies. Plants were grown hydroponically with 50 μM chromate, 50 μM selenate and equimolar concentrations of both elements (50 μM chromate + 50 μM selenate). Our results suggest that B. juncea and S. pinnata possess transport systems with different affinity for chromate and selenate. The joint application of chromate and selenate restricted the accumulation of both elements, but the reduction of selenate uptake by chromate was more evident in B. juncea. On the other hand, selenate decreased chromium accumulation in B. juncea , whereas in S. pinnata such effect was evident only in roots. B. juncea plants stored more chromium and selenium than S. pinnata due to the higher biomass produced, but less selenium when treated with both elements. Chromate and selenate decreased sulfur accumulation in both species, but B. juncea was more sensitive to their toxicity when applied individually, as revealed by increased lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide content in roots and antioxidant enzyme activity. This species can still be efficient for chromium and selenium phytoextraction as these elements in soil are less available than in hydroponics. In soils high in both elements, or low in selenium, S. pinnata is preferred for selenium phytoextraction and the biomass could be used for crop biofortification due its negligible chromium content. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• BjuSPL10c was expressed at a high level in flowers and up-regulated at reproductive stage. • Seven potential interactive proteins (BjuB025567, BjuA041065, BjuB033332, BjuA045694, BjuA027365, BjuA031237 and BjuA005619) were screened from B.juncea yeast library of flower buds at squaring stage. • Six (BjuB025567, BjuA041065, BjuB033332, BjuA045694, BjuA031237 and BjuA005619) of those proteins interacted with BjuSPL10c in vivo. • All of these six genes expressing interactive proteins were down-regulated in flowers. Brassica juncea var. tumida Tsen et Lee (Tumorous stem mustard) is a specific vegetable in China. Its tumorous stem can be consumed as fresh vegetable or produced pickle. In practice, early-bolting happens in around 15%, which inhibits B. juncea industry development. SPL is a plant specific transcription factor, plays important roles in flowering and gibberellins (GA) signaling. qRT-PCR assay found that BjuSPL10c was expressed at a high level in flowers and reproductive stage. To explore interactive proteins, BjuSPL10c was used as bait, finally seven proteins were screened and they are BjuB025567, BjuA041065, BjuB033332, BjuA045694, BjuA027365, BjuA031237 and BjuA005619. Further study confirmed that six of those proteins interacted with BjuSPL10c in vivo. qRT-PCR was conducted to understand mRNA expression levels of these six proteins in different tissues and development stages. The results showed that compared with root, mRNAs for all of these six genes were down-regulated in flowers. For different developmental stages, BjuB025567 and BjuA005619 were up-regulated at vegetative stage, down-regulated at reproductive stage; BjuB033332, BjuA045694 and BjuA031237 were significantly up-regulated at both vegetative and reproductive stages; BjuA041065 was showed "down-up-down" expression pattern. Taking all results together, BjuB025567, BjuA041065, BjuB033332, BjuA045694 and BjuA031237 may participate in flowering time regulation through interacting with BjuSPL10c in B. juncea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty Brassica breeding populations derived from mass selection or inter-specific hybridization were field screened for resistance to three separate isolates of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the cause of Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR). Variation due to S. sclerotiorum isolates ( P ≤ 0.001) and host populations ( P ≤ 0.001) were highly significant. Populations × isolate interactions were also significant. S. sclerotiorum isolates, MBRS1 and MBRS5 were the most pathogenic and almost similar in terms of population reactions, with WW3 clearly being distinct and having a much smaller range in lesion length across the populations. There were wide ranging and variable responses in terms of resistance against S. sclerotiorum in Brassica napus and B. juncea, with or without B. carinata introgression, among these breeding populations. In B napus, ZY006 (resistant check) and Line6 (HZAU) were the most resistant, closely followed by Line1 (HZAU), OCRI-3 and Line5 (HZAU). Line6 (HZAU) showed excellent resistance against the highly virulent isolates MBRS1 and MBRS5; while OCRI-1 appeared most resistant against isolate WW3. The B. juncea × B. carinata hybrid JC134 (PAU) was the most resistant against isolate MBRS5 and B. juncea RH9902 × JN026 the most resistant against isolate MBRS1. B. napus lines Line2 (HZAU), Line4 (HZAU), OCRI-3; and OCRI-4, and the B. napus × B. carinata hybrid Surpass4000 NCB4 (PAU), showed a significant degree of isolate-dependency in their reactions. In contrast, some other genotypes such as B. napus lines Line1 (HZAU), OCRI-5; Ding 110× Oscar and, particularly, Line5 (HZAU), were largely isolate-independent, making them ideal sources of resistance to target and exploit in developing new commercial cultivars with more effective resistance to SSR across multiple pathotypes of this pathogen. Cluster analysis allowed categorization of the test populations into five groups, based on their resistant responses. B. napus ZY006 was the sole genotype in the most resistant group. B. napus lines Line6 (HZAU), Ding 110 × Oscar (HAU) and Line4 (HZAU) clustered in another genetically distinct resistant group. That lines could be grouped into those with similar responses across the three different isolates of S. sclerotiorum will save breeders much time and expense by eliminating duplication of breeding efforts that occurs from using genotypes that are essentially similar in terms of host resistance against this serious pathogen. Further, that populations of similar levels of resistance but narrow variation in the resistance range could be identified is significant, as these are most likely to reliably provide breeders with advanced populations that not only consistently display the level of resistance expected but also reflect genetic diversity of resistance sources needed to successfully develop new more-resistant commercial varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oilseed Brassica juncea is an important crop with a long history of cultivation in India and China. Previous studies have suggested a polyphyletic origin of B. juncea and more than one migration from the primary to secondary centers of diversity. We investigated molecular genetic diversity based on 99 simple sequence repeat markers in 119 oilseed B. juncea varieties from China, India, Europe, and Australia to test whether molecular differentiation follows Vavilov's proposal of secondary centers of diversity in India and China. Two distinct groups were identified by markers in the A genome, and the same two groups were confirmed by markers in the B genome. Group 1 included accessions from central and western India, in addition to those from eastern China. Group 2 included accessions from central and western China, as well as those from northern and eastern India. European and Australian accessions were found only in Group 2. Chinese accessions had higher allelic diversity per accession (Group 1) and more private alleles per accession (Groups 1 and 2) than those from India. The marker data and geographic distribution of Groups 1 and 2 were consistent with two independent migrations of B. juncea from its center of origin in the Middle East and neighboring regions along trade routes to western China and northern India, followed by regional adaptation. Group 1 migrated further south and west in India, and further east in China, than Group 2. Group 2 showed diverse agroecological adaptation, with yellow-seeded spring-sown types in central and western China and brown-seeded autumn-sown types in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oilseed rape ( Brassica napus L.) is an important agronomic crop used for oil, food and animal feed. Glyphosate resistant B. napus is tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate and has been widely adopted due to higher economic returns. However, a concern for growing transgenic B. napus is the potential escape of cp4 epsps transgene via cross fertilization with wild and/or weedy species including Brassica juncea, especially in China, where B. juncea is prevalent. We assessed transgene inheritance and quantification upon wild B. juncea × transgenic B. napus outcrossing from three backcross (BC) generations and their progenies using real-time PCR. Under in vitro conditions, a stable inheritance and similar cp4 epsps copy number between different generations (BC2, BC3 and BC4) and their progenies were observed. A marginally higher copy number was observed when B. juncea was used as the paternal as compared to when it was used as maternal parent. This study demonstrates stable inheritance of the glyphosate resistance trait and the production of fit out crossed offspring in cases of wild type B. juncea × transgenic B. napus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa) is a major vegetable crop in China. The accumulation of anthocyanins improves the quality and flavor of Brassica crops and is beneficial for human health. There has been great research interest in breeding purple Chinese cabbage, for which it is necessary to study the key genes and mechanisms of anthocyanin accumulation. Through distant hybridization between purple mustard (Brassica juncea) and green Chinese cabbage (B. rapa), purple Chinese cabbage plants were obtained. Furthermore, the Dark_Pur gene was cloned in the purple Chinese cabbage plants, which came from purple mustard and may be responsible for the purple phenotype in purple Chinese cabbage plants. Through particle bombardment of isolated microspores from Chinese cabbage to transform the Dark_Pur gene, the transformed purple Chinese cabbage plant was obtained, thus verifying the function of the Dark_Pur gene. To further study the Dark_Pur gene regulatory mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation in Chinese cabbage, the purple/green Chinese cabbage lines and purple/green mustard lines were subjected to transcriptome–metabolome analysis. Three stages (cotyledon, seedling, and large-leaf stages) of the purple/green Chinese cabbage lines and purple/green mustard lines were selected for analysis. The results indicated that the expression level of the transcription factor genes BraA09g028560.3C, BraA03g019460.3C, and BraA07g035710.3C may be induced by the Dark_Pur gene and they play an important role in purple Chinese cabbage, and BjuB010898 and BjuO006089 may be responsible for anthocyanin accumulation in mustard. Studying the structural genes of the purple Chinese cabbage showed that PAL, C4H, 4CL, CHS, CHI, F3H, F3'H, FLS, DFR, ANS, and UGT were up-regulated in three growth periods. There were 22 and 10 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in seedling and large-leaf stages between purple/green Chinese cabbage, respectively, and 12 and 14 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in seedling and large-leaf stages between purple/green mustard, respectively, which may indicate that the Dark_Pur gene from purple mustard greatly regulates anthocyanin accumulation in purple Chinese cabbage. This study provides a foundation for further elucidating anthocyanin regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Brassica yellows virus; Cowpea; China EN Brassica yellows virus Cowpea China 1327 1327 1 11/29/21 20211101 NES 211101 Shunyu Xiang and Cuiling Tian the authors contributed equally to this work In 2017 and 2018, we found that about 21% to 35% of cowpea ( I Vigna unguiculata i (L.) Walp.; family Leguminosae) samples from the surveyed field in Chongqing showed symptoms of viral diseases, including mottle chlorosis, wrinkle, and leaves with down-curling. Cowpea, China, Brassica yellows virus First report of brassica yellows virus infecting cowpea in China. [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • Flavor metabolites vary over the potherb mustard fermentation process. • Halophilic/lactic-acid bacteria were dominant after potherb mustard fermentation. • Halophilic/lactic-acid bacteria correlate with flavor metabolites of fermented potherb mustard. • Halophilic/lactic-acid bacteria may contribute to produce flavor metabolites of fermented potherb mustard. Fermented vegetable flavors are closely associated with microbial metabolism. Here, shifts in flavor metabolites and their correlations to the structure and function of fermentative microbial communities were explored during the spontaneous fermentation process of potherb mustard (Brassica juncea var. multiceps), a traditionally fermented vegetable from China. Halophilic bacteria (HAB, i.e. , Halomonas , Salinivibrio , and Vibrio) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB, i.e. , Lactobacillus -related genera and Weissella) became highly abundant after potherb mustard fermentation. Further, HAB and LAB abundances exhibited significant, positive correlations with metabolites important in fermented potherb mustard flavoring (e.g., organic acids, amino acids, alcohols, aldehydes, and nitriles). Metagenomic analysis indicated that Halomonas , Salinivibrio , Weissella , and Lactobacillus -related genera were likely actively engaged in pyruvate metabolism (ko00620) and citrate cycle (TCA cycle, ko00020), leading to higher lactic and acetic acid concentrations, along with lower pH, which would affect levels of volatile isothiocyanates and nitriles that contribute to flavoring of fermented potherb mustard. Further, HAB and LAB were the primary populations inferred to be responsible for amino acid and fatty acid metabolism in addition to the biosynthesis of numerous volatile flavor compounds. This study highlights the predominance and importance of LAB and HAB during spontaneous fermentation of potherb mustard and provides new insights into their roles in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of apricot shell-derived biochar (ASB) and apple tree-derived biochar (ATB) on soil properties, plant growth, microbial communities, enzymatic activities, and Zn and Cd fractionation and phytoavailability in mining soils. Smelter soil contaminated by Zn (1860.0 mg kg−1) and Cd (39.9 mg kg−1) was collected from Fengxian, China, treated with different doses (0 (control), 1, 2.5, 5, and 10% w/w) of both biochars and cultivated by Brassica juncea in a greenhouse pot experiment. The acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual fraction and plant tissue concentrations of Zn and Cd were determined. Biochar addition improved plant growth (22.6–29.4%), soil pH (up to 0.94 units), and soil organic matter (up to 4-fold) compared to the control. The ASB and ATB, particularly ATB, reduced the acid-soluble (21–26% for Zn and 15–35% for Cd) and the reducible (9–36% for Zn and 11–19% for Cd) fractions of Zn and Cd and altered these fractions in the organic and residual fractions. Therefore, the biochars decreased the metal concentrations in the roots (36–41% for Zn and 33–37% for Cd) and shoots (25–31% for Zn and 20–29% for Cd), which might be due to the increase in pH, biochar liming effects, and metal sorption by the biochar. The biochars impact on the bacterial community composition was selective. The ASB and ATB decreased the activities of soil β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase while increasing the urease activity. The biochars, particularly ATB, can be considered as effective soil amendments for reducing the phytotoxicity of Zn and Cd in contaminated soils, improving plant growth, enhancing the abundance of specific bacterial groups and increasing urease activity; however, more attention should be paid to their negative effects on the activities of β-glucosidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase. Image 1 • Apricot shell- (ASB) and apple tree-biochar (ATB) immobilized soil Zn and Cd. • ASB and ATB reduced acid soluble and reducible Zn (26–36%) and Cd (19–35%). • ASB and ATB altered soluble and reducible Zn and Cd to organic and residual fraction. • ASB and ATB decreased Zn (31–41%) and Cd (29–37%) in plant tissues. • Both biochars improved bacterial community, but decreased enzymes activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is prevalent in water and can be translocated into soil-crop ecosystem via irrigation, overflow (pollution accident), and cyanobacterial manure applications, threatening agricultural production and human health. However, the effects of various input pathways on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of MCs in terrestrial plants have been hardly reported so far. In the present study, pot experiments were performed to compare the bioaccumulation, toxicity, and health risk of MC-LR as well as its degradation in soils among various treatments with the same total amount of added MC-LR (150 μg/kg). The treatments included irrigation with polluted water (IPW), cultivation with polluted soil (CPS), and application of cyanobacterial manure (ACM). Three common leaf-vegetables in southern China were used in the pot experiments, including Ipomoea batatas L., Brassica juncea L., and Brassica alboglabra L. All leaf vegetables could bioaccumulate MC-LR under the three treatments, with much higher MC-LR bioaccumulation, especially root bioconcentration observed in ACM treatment than IPW and CPS treatments. An opposite trend in MC-LR degradation in soils of these treatments indicated that ACM could limit MC-LR degradation in soils and thus promote its bioaccumulation in the vegetables. MC-LR bioaccumulation could cause toxicity to the vegetables, with the highest toxic effects observed in ACM treatment. Similarly, bioaccumulation of MC-LR in the edible parts of the leaf-vegetables posed 1.1~4.8 fold higher human health risks in ACM treatment than in IPW and CPS treatments. The findings of this study highlighted a great concern on applications of cyanobacterial manure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica juncea L. is an attractive species in PTMs contaminated soil remediation ascribing to its high tolerance under stress and great accumulation capacity of metals. To identify the potential Cd/Zn accumulators from numerous different Chinese mustard cultivars for practical phytoremediation is a promising strategy in China. In present work, a pot experiment involving elevated Cd/Zn concentrations was performed among 21 cultivars. Regarding physiological and biochemical indicators under Cd/Zn stress, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used for cultivar tolerance evaluation and classification. Results showed that BJ (Bao Jie, var. involutus) cultivar was distinguished as a potential phytoremediation candidate comparing with other cultivars. Moreover, BJ accumulated the maximum Cd content of 63.85 and 77.29 mg kg−1 DW in shoots and roots, respectively, and the maximum Zn uptake by BJ were 6693 and 4777 mg kg−1 DW in shoots and roots, respectively. Accordingly, BJ had the highest Cd/Zn tolerance, remarkable accumulation and translocation capacity (accumulation factor (AF) > 1 for Cd and Zn; translocation factor (TF) > 0.8 for Cd and TF > 1 for Zn). In addition, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities of the mustard increased initially under low Cd/Zn stress as compared to the control and then declined dramatically with the increasing metals exposure concentration. Therefore, the antioxidant enzymes may play a protective role against reactive oxygen species (ROS) under low Cd/Zn stress, whereas the defense system might be collapsed under relatively high Cd/Zn stress. Furthermore, the enhanced Cd/Zn exposure led to an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the mustard cultivars, indicating that Cd/Zn had induced more severe oxidative stress and higher degree of lipid peroxidation had occurred. The present investigation results indicated that BJ (Bao Jie, var. involutus), as a native cultivar, can be further applied in the field trials of phytoremediation practices in contaminated soil. Image 1 • Chinese mustard cultivars for Cd/Zn phytoremediation were screened. • BJ (Bao Jie, var. involutus) has the highest tolerance under Cd/Zn stress. • BJ was identified as the most promising candidate for phytoremediation. • The antioxidant system protected the plants from the injury of Cd/Zn stress. BJ (Bao Jie, var. involutus) was identified as a potential candidate for phytoremediation from various Chinese mustard (Brassica juncea L.) cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pickled and dried mustard (PDM; Brassica juncea, Coss), a traditional fermented vegetable product, is very popular in China because of its typical aromatic flavor and great antioxidant activity. PDM is usually consumed after being cooked by various cooking methods. Here, we determined and compared the effects of four different common cooking methods (steaming, high‐pressure steaming, boiling, and microwaving) with different cooking time on the volatile compounds and antioxidant properties of PDM. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometry results showed that steaming for 15 min and high‐pressure steaming for 5 min significantly increased the concentration of volatile compounds of PDM while boiling and microwaving obviously decreased them. Moreover, high‐pressure steaming best preserved the antioxidant activity, obtained from ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays, as well as the total phenolic, flavonoid, and glucosinolate content of PDM. These findings provide insights into the beneficial effects of high‐pressure steaming for 5 min in cooking PDM. Practical applications: Our findings showed that high‐pressure steaming for short time (5 min) was the best way to cook PDM because it could not only significantly increase volatile compounds of PDM but also had the preservation effects of antioxidant activity of PDM. By contrast, boiling and microwaving dramatically decreased the volatile compounds and antioxidant properties of PDM mainly because of leaching action. These findings provide useful information for food producers and consumers to optimize the processing and cooking of PDM products with better flavor and health‐related characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sinapis Semen is derived from the dried mature seeds of Sinapis alba L. or Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. et Coss. Traditionally, the seeds from S. alba are called "White Sinapis Semen" while those from B. juncea are called "Yellow Sinapis Semen"., Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the chemical composition and the anti-inflammatory effects of 50% aqueous ethanol extracts of the White Sinapis Semen (EWSS) and Yellow Sinapis Semen (EYSS) using both acute (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate (TPA)- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced mouse ear edema) and chronic (multiple applications of croton oil (CO)) inflammatory models., Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects of EWSS and EYSS were determined by measuring the ear thickness and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The anti-inflammatory mechanism was explored by measuring the protein and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in the ear of the TPA-treated mice., Results: The results showed that both EWSS and EYSS significantly decreased the ear thickness in both the TPA- and AA-induced acute models, as well as in the CO-induced chronic model. In addition, EWSS and EYSS could markedly inhibit the MPO activity in the ears of TPA-, AA- or CO-treated mice. Moreover, EWSS and EYSS also remarkably inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the ears of TPA-treated mice. Comparatively, EWSS exerted more potent anti-inflammatory effect than that of EYSS., Conclusion: Our results revealed that both EWSS and EYSS are effective anti-inflammatory agents against acute and chronic inflammatory processes, and EWSS possess more potent anti-inflammatory effect than EYSS. The anti-inflammatory effect of the two herbs may be mediated, at least in part, by suppressing the mRNA expression of a panel of inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)